Swale council bid for £1.7m Sheerness heritage grant is unsuccessful

Hopes of a £1.7 million cash injection to help make more of Sheppey’s history have been dashed.

Back in September, we reported how Swale council had applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant through its Townscape Heritage programme.

The scheme aims to help communities improve conservation areas in need of investment.

Swale council had hoped to use the grant to help the future of the water tower

Last week, the council found out it had been unsuccessful in its bid – which was specifically to improve things in Sheerness.

The full amount it had applied for has only just been revealed.

It had been hoped the cash could be used to launch a number of projects, including to reinstate architectural details and repair and improve the quality of the existing heritage in the town.

The main focus was on the derelict water tower in Trinity Road and the Dockyard Church, with plans to link the two landmark buildings by creating a “heritage trail” between them.

The money was also to be used to help with the development of the Dockyard Church

It had also been proposed that part of the funding would have been set aside to help any future developer to ensure the water tower was restored and converted.

Swale council’s cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Mike Cosgrove, said: “We are of course disappointed that we have not been given approval to further develop our funding bid to secure the grant that would have done so much to revitalise Sheerness town centre.

“We are awaiting formal feedback, which will help determine our next steps.”

Although it is a setback, Cllr Cosgrove says it does not impact on the council’s commitment to regeneration, and he vowed it will continue to work with local businesses and community groups such as the Sheerness Town Team and Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure to help improve facilities within the community as well as the local environment.

Cllr Cosgrove added: “Development plans for Trinity Road are still ongoing and this will not deter us from our overall priority to bring more opportunities into Sheerness while recognising the fantastic heritage that the Isle of Sheppey offers.”